Making of ‘The 7 Joys of Life’
(Dr Karan Singh, Indian Parliamentarian, Statesman & renowned Thinker releasing the book at India International Centre, New Delhi. Others include-left to right; Raja Choudhury, Renowned Filmmaker, Dr Amit Nagpal, Author and Sh Satpalji Maharaj, Indian MP)
Do we need a little more JOY in our lives? I think all of us are going to say a loud YES.
Background
Life has unbounded possibilities and jubilation comes in many sizes and guises. Happiness is all about attitude, attitude of finding joy in small things and small wonders of nature. Some of the biggest sources of happiness like watching the sea, falling in love, holding a baby in your arms and so on come absolutely free.
The book was conceptualized in a brainstorming
session with a friend (Ashish Bhagwat) and is designed to be a holistic guide to living
joyfully. It is not only a life manual in some ways but also intends to create
a paradigm shift in our attitude towards happiness.
Some of these shifts include:-- Money is not the only source of joy
- Personal Growth can be a source of joy
- Primary reason for meditation should not be to reduce stress but to add joy
- Pampering oneself need not be accompanied by guilt
From right to left- Dr Sushi Singh, (CEO, Educomp Foundation, Gurgaon & Member Governing body,BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry), Mr SBK Singh, Special Commissioner-Security, Delhi Police and Dr Amit Nagpal
Why 7 Joys of Life
7 colours make a rainbow, 7 chords make music, 7 days make a
week, and 7 continents make a world. 7
has something special about it. Call it Lucky 7 or Spiritual 7.
We realized it must begin with knowing yourself and subsequently connecting with self followed by discovering deepest passion, developing wisdom, relating with people, rejuvenation and pampering of self (including realization of our peak potential). When we have realized our peak potential, we develop a global mindset and uncover our inner greatness.
The book starts with a prologue discussing, “What is Joy
after all?” and ends with an epilogue discussing "The Joy of Giving" and
contributing back to society. It is only after creating joy in our own lives
that we can spread the joy around. Isn't it?
During the writing of the book and listing sources of joy, a
need was felt to include major barriers to joy, be it office politics or
emotional baggage. One must learn to handle these barriers with the right
attitude, else they can sap all our energy.
The book inspires the readers to become Global and Great (influenced by Global and Greatness Coach Michael Thallium who has also helped in curating it).
The book inspires the readers to become Global and Great (influenced by Global and Greatness Coach Michael Thallium who has also helped in curating it).
The Story of
Collaboration
Since I hardly found role models in business storytelling in
India (way back in 2008), I started connecting with lot of people across the
globe to learn storytelling on social media. When I decided to become a Business Storyteller in 2010, I realized that world has become a truly
global village due to social & digital media and it made sense
to collaborate globally.
One day the thought crossed my mind, “I have got connected with lots of thought leaders from across the world and they can really enrich the
book with their contributions. Many of the new concepts in the west like peak
potential coaching and so on can be introduced to eastern part of the world as well.”
In October 2011, I contacted my close friends across the
world and discussed the idea of a collaborative book on joys of life and the
response was just overwhelming. More than 90 % of the responses were positive
and I suggested topics to the contributors based on the expertise of each
person and aligned it with the theme of joy. I requested everyone to strongly
co-relate the article with JOY and avoid spiritual terminology as far as
possible (I had experienced that simplified and applied spirituality which
enters from the back door had a broader appeal and connects with the
young generation also).
Soon a wonderful manuscript was ready which needed a bit of
editing, a bit of rewriting and a bit of rehashing to make it world class. It
had wonderful contributions by 19 authors (besides me) from different walks of
life residing in 6 countries across 4 continents. Many of the contributors
already had their books on Amazon.com and this added tremendously to the credibility.
Amitabh Joshi (Senior journalist and Former Executive
Producer at a reputed Hindi TV channel) edited the manuscript and commented,
“Amit I will not be surprised if the book is reviewed in an international publication'.
The content is excellent and innovative.” Well, Amen to that!
I am reminded of a quote by Winston Churchill on book
writing. He quoted,
“Writing a book is an adventure.
To begin with, it is a toy and an amusement;
Then it becomes a mistress,
And then it becomes a master and then a tyrant.
The last phase is that just as you are about to be
reconciled to your servitude,
You kill the monster and fling him out to the public.”
And soon we were ready for flinging the monster out to the
public.
Book Review (July issue Page 23)
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Foreword (to the book) by Alan Jacobs
This well
written book by the celebrated Brand Management Authority
Dr Amit Nagpal PhD, combines both practical and spiritual wisdom.
For example, the Joy of Knowing Yourself in Chapter One combines the
necessary understanding of both the ordinary everyday self and
the Real Higher Self. Dr. Nagpal makes it abundantly
clear that Self Knowledge in some form or the other is essential for
living the joyful happy life, along with possessing the
basic understanding of our normal everyday self. The chapters continue
this theme on Connecting With Your True Self, and then moving onto more
worldly considerations, such as connecting to your worldly passions
and ambitions. Nagpal then returns to the necessity of taking
all our important decisions with wisdom, both practically and
philosophically. He also has important chapters on Relationships,
and the essential need for rejuvenating oneself, with
imaginative leisure and recreational activities.
As a former
Professional Life Coach, I can certainly state that this fine book lives
up to its title. To complete the book Dr. Nagpal calls on contributions based
on personal experience by several leading world experts who
have all proved themselves professionally, educationally,
and commercially in their chosen fields by actually living
from these principles in their careers and personal lives. The book
concludes with an inspirational Epilogue, and assessment questionnaire, to
measure your place in achieving these seven joys, and includes the
most valuable resource of a Holistic Living Directory.
I am certain
that this book will greatly appeal and benefit all those who are keen to
discover the Seven Joys of Successful Living, especially young and
middle aged Professional and Post Graduates, aspiring to reach the heights of
middle and upper class achievement. As someone who has combined
both practical business and life coaching experience with higher
philosophical and spiritual knowledge, I have no hesitation in recommending
this most commendable work.
Alan Jacobs
Former Professional Life
Coach and NLP Practioner
President of the
Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK
London, December 2011
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